Advances in Perovskite-Based Solar Cells

The increase in energy demand due to increase in population and reduction of fossil fuels has led to the search of alternative energy sources. Solar energy, which is an alternative source of energy, has been in the fore front of this research. Various methods of converting solar energy into electricity has been attained by silicon solar cells, thin film solar cells, dye sensitized solar cells and perovskite solar cells. Unlike dye sensitized solar cells, perovskite solar cells based on lead halide perovskite or organic-inorganic halide perovskite have had a significant impact on photovoltaic devices. A power conversion efficiency of approximately 20.1% has been attained by perovskite solar cells compared to organic solar cells. Also, several fabrication techniques, hole and electron transport materials have been developed for high performance. Although, some issues need to be addressed before commercialization is possible. Issues like stability of the cells under moisture and temperature. In this review, fundamental aspects of the perovskite device and recent breakthroughs are illustrate

Spectral responses of B.vulgaris dye-sensitized solar cells to change in electrolyte

Dye-sensitized solar cells still offer an encouraging option in the photovoltaic family. It is endowed with several attributes such as ability to generating green energy at low cost, ease of fabrication and yearlong availability of raw materials. Betalain an important constituent of B.vulgaris shows diverse changes to temperature and solvents as they alter the fluidity of its membrane. This experiment seeks to explore the latter with a keen interest on the IPCE and efficiency of beetroot dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The Doctor blade method of application of TiO2 photoanode using ethanol as precursor and high temperature sintering reveals diverse spectral responses in the efficiency of the DSCs with the most efficient B.vulgaris dye recording 0.27% and the highest IPCE of the dye revealed s 28.34%

Progress on Organic Solar Cells: A Short Review

Thin film organic solar cells have emerged as a replacement to inorganic solar cells based on silicon. Organic solar cells offer several advantages compared to silicon-based devices. In the last 10 years, concentrated research attempts towards accomplishing the mandatory power conversion efficiency of 10 % and environmental stability of the device still remain a main challenge. In order to influence the efficiency, polymers are frequently utilized to fabricate the absorber and buffer layers. Also, binary and tenary polymer blends have been devised to influence the performance in micro/nanostructures. In addition, the advantages of organic solar cells for realistic application, and potential solutions are also considered

The role of solvent additive in metal nano-composite doped thin film organic solar cell

In this study, organic solar cells (OSCs) were designed using the solution processing method based on spin coating. The influence of solvent additive (1-chloronapthalene (CN)) and cadmium doped barium nitrate nanoparticle incorporated into the photoactive medium based on poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5- diyl (P3HT): [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) was investigated. The power conversion efficiency of the pristine device was compared to the power conversion efficiency of the devices fabricated with 30v% of 1- chloronapthalene and different weight concentrations of nanoparticles. An optimum efficiency of 3.55 % was attained at 0.3 wt.% with solvent additive compared to 3.25 % obtained for the pristine device. This increase is attributed to a rise in charge transport of 5.32 × 10-2 cm2V-1s-1. Further investigation on the morphological properties of the nanoparticles reveals the crystalline nature of the nanoparticle

Entrepreneurial competencies and the performance of informal SMEs: the contingent role of business environment

This study examined entrepreneurial competencies as a viable pathway for improving the innovative performance of SMEs in Nigeria's informal sector and the contingent roles of the business environment. A survey research design was used to gather data from 296 entrepreneurs who operate informal SMEs in Nigeria. Based on the findings from the SEM-PLS multivariate analysis, the study concluded that entrepreneurial competencies, especially organising, conceptual, learning, strategic, opportunity and risk-taking competencies, are essential for achieving higher innovation performance. The study also reveals that entrepreneurial competencies are useful towards mitigating environmental pressures resulting from operational turbulence and erratic policy changes, as the firm drives towards improving innovation outputs. As such, the entrepreneurship environment is becoming more endogenous as entrepreneurs, through their entrepreneurial competencies, have started to gain control over it. This study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by highlighting the most essential competencies alongside the relevant contingencies. By doing that, this study offers a practical guide on priority competence area that entrepreneurship stakeholders, including entrepreneurs and policymakers, should consider for investment